The snow storm that hit the Birmingham
area with sudden, brutal force on Tuesday caused a great deal of havoc -- especially for commuters.

But the storm also created the opportunity for people to
commit random acts of kindness.

Vestavia Hills resident Alicia Lepke and her husband Ron found themselves
on the receiving end of one of those acts on Tuesday afternoon.

Lepke had tried to drive home that day but, like hundreds of
other commuters, was forced to abandon her car along the frozen shoulder of I-65
after spending more than 4 hours in traffic.

Lepke -- who shared her story with AL.com in an email on
Thursday -- got out of her car and began what promised to be a long, cold "trek"
home on foot.

She said she was wearing warm clothing but "inappropriate shoes."

Fortunately, Ron was home that day and began
walking toward her with more appropriate footwear.

"We met halfway, and I was thrilled to have dry socks and
boots for the remainder of our hike, but like lots of others I was COLD and more
than a little frightened by the prospect of leaving my car on the side of the
road -- the interstate, no less," she said.

But Lepke's mood would be lifted considerably by one of
those unexpected acts of kindness.

"Imagine our surprise when 2 jolly 'elves' (for lack of a
better term) pulled up beside us on Wisteria Drive in a 4-wheeler and asked if
we needed a lift," she said.

The "elves" loaded Lepke and her husband in the back,
covered them with blankets and took them all the way home.

This was "above AND way beyond the call of duty," Lepke
said.

The men introduced themselves, but Lepke admits that her "snow-addled"
brain has lost the names since then. However, she said that she remembers their
faces and could easily pick them out of a line-up.

And she said that the men left quite an impression on her
and her husband.

"I'm fascinated that they were so kind, that they were in
such jovial moods and that we were truly in the right place at the right time,"
she said. "They became our 'snow angels,' leaving their mark on my heart,"
Lepke said.